Governor Brown’s new budget plan suggests an improved financial situation and an increase in funding for education. “Any budget containing increases rather than cuts is a welcome change in education,” said Holly Hermansen, Nevada County superintendent of schools. “The budget increases per-pupil funding for the first time in more than four years.” The plan, released Jan. 10, proposed that there would be an $851 million operating surplus in 2013-14, according to the Legislative Analyst’s Office. Such a surplus is contingent on higher tax revenues from personal income and sales use tax, $700 million in higher savings from a decrease in …